Cage or coop



June 30, 1931. w. MACOMBER CAGE OR COOP Filed July 18, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR Lyn? Zdf/Mcomfizr 1;)

111121153, 1931 L. w. MACOMBER 1,812,598 I CAGE OR COOP Filed July 18, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l/VVLNTOR L m [/1 macomber By V I A TTOR'NE Y3 June 3%, 1931. r L. w. MACQMBER L 5 GAGE 0a COOP Fil d July 18, 1929 4 Sheets$heet 5 11v VENTOR Lynn (U. 212 m & A 770%.?

June 30, 1931. I w. MACOMBER 1,812,598

GAGE on COOP Filed July 18, 1929 4 SheetsSheet 4 [NV/:NTO/f Lynn w. m acomber 7 feed racks.

Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED-1S'EA'IES PATENT OFFICE LYNNW. Aoo BER; QFBATTLE' CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGN'OR T UNITED srnnn &

WIRE COMPANY, or BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN. r

GAGE on coor Application filedluly 18, 1929. Serial No. 99,129.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide a coop or cage Which is Well adapted for use as arabbit hutch.

Second, to provide astructure of this character made entirely of metal which maybe shipped or stored in the knock-down and readily set up or erected without the use of tools, and when erected is strong and rigid. Third, to provide a structure of the class described which may be easily kept in a sanitary condition. 7

Fourth, to provide in a structure ofthe class described an improved arrangement of feeding racks and troughs.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structureembodying my improvements is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which i i V Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved cage or coop. V

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear perspective view showing the arrangement of the floors and debris troughs.

. Fig. i is a'fragmentary perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 3 with the sheet metal parts removed. 1

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View showing details of the feed troughs and racks.

Fig. 6 is aside elevation of one of the the feed Fig. 7 is a cross section of one of Hracks on line 7-7 of Fig. 6. v

I V Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section on a line ing details of one of the feed troughs.

Fig. 9 is' a detail section on line 99 of Fig. 1 showing details of one of the compartment floors.

In the embodiment illustrated the cage or hutch has six compartments. The cage structure is formed of wire or like rods and consists of corner uprights 1 extended at their lower ends to provide legs 2; The end walls. are formed of panels designated generally by- "ed generally by the numeral corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 5, showthe numeral 3 formed of horizontal bars 4 I having eyes 5 at their ends engaging the uprights 1 and the vertical slats 6. The slats and the horizontal bars are secured together by electric welding.

The front wall consists'of anels designathorizontal side bars 8, and bottom horizontal bars 9 with intermediate bars 10 to which the vertical slats 11 are secured, preferably by welding. The bars 10 do not extend the full length of the panels but terminate at the uprights 12 which are spaced from adjacent slats 13 to provide door openings 15.

The side walls are made in sections-united by clips 16, certain of the vertical slats at formed of top the inner ends of these sections being arranged so as to provide openings for the feed racksl? and the feed troughs 18.

To support the racks which are of an 'inverted U shape, the side walls are provided with downwardly diverging support memthe upper ends of the slats 21 of the partition members designated generally by the numeral 22 and comprising these vertical.

slats 21. Thehorizontal bars 23 have eyes 2 1 at their ends engaging the vertical slats 'on. the horizontal rod 28 at thetop of the door opening while the lower section 26 is pivotally'connected to the section 27.

The section 26 is provided with a horizontal bar 29 having eyes 30 at its ends,'one of which slidably engages the slat 13 and the other an upright 31 having an offset 32 therein adjacent its lowerend and with which the eye engages when the door is in closed position, the ofiset constituting a keeper for the door. To open the doors it is only necessary to pull upwardly on the bar 29 which will disengage the door from its keeper, allowing the sections to fold, o

collapse upon themselves, r

The rear sidewallis made up of a series bers19 at each side while the feed troughs are mounted on the side rods 20 secured to of panels designated generally by the numeral 33 and each consisting of horizontal bars secured at their outer ends to the corner uprights l and at their inner ends to the intermediate uprights 35. The vertical slats 36 are welded to these bars. The uprights are connected by the clips 16.

The rear ends of the racks are supported by the top horizontal bars of the panels and are provided with hooks 37 to engage these bars as shown in Fig. 5. The racks comprise the longitudinal bars 38 and the U-shaped cross or rack bars 39 welded thereto. Rearwardly tapered wings T0 are hinged to the upper longitudinal bars of the racks, the hooks 37 being carried by these wings.

These wings 40 are adapted to be folded inwardly upon the contents of the rack, such as clover or like fodder, compacting it within the rack whilethe rack is being introduced into the cage or being transported outside of the cage so that the feed is not scattered. V

The troughs 48 are formed of sheet metal and are preferably double troughs, thereby providing a trough for each compartment. These troughs are provided with downwardly facing channeled flanges 49 on their longitudinal edges slidably engageable with the slide rods 20.

The troughs are supported below the feed racks so that they may not only be employed for grain but serve to catch the leaves and loose material that falls from the rack.

The compartment floors 50 are formed of wire netting mounted upon supporting rods 51, some of which. terminate in inwardly facing hooks 52 and others in downturned lugs or hooks 53. These hooks and lugs are adapted to be engaged over longitudinal bars of the front and read side wall panels, thereby supporting the floors, the inturned hooks effectively retaining the parts in assembled relation. These floors when in posicrv to prevent he co lapsing of the side and end walls, effectively bracing the structure and at the same time the floor may be disengaged by springing the longitudinal side bars, so that, with the removal of these floors. the troughs, racks and dropping boards 54, the walls may be collapsed.

The dropping boards 54 are supported in an inclined position by means of supporting rods 55 which have hooks, 56 at their ends engageable with longitudinal bars of the front and read side walls. The panels of the rear walls are spaced so that there is sufficient room to receive the dropping boards which have tapered side walls 57 and relatively narrow front walls 58.

These dropping boards are formed of sheet metal and their rear edges overlap the dropping troughs 59 which are supported on the outside of the walls by means of hangers 60 having hooks 61 engageable with the top longitudinal bars of the rear wall panels. These dropping troughs 59 are open at one end and their side walls are preferably tapered toward their open ends, and the arm of one hanger of each trough is in a plane above the other so that the bottom of the trough is inclined toward its closed end. The result is that the drop pings are retained within the trough but may be conveniently removed therefrom.

In the embodiment illustrated the rear wall panels are provided with crossed braces 62 while the bottom end wall panels are provided with crossed braces 63, the lower ends of these braces being extended to a cross member 6 connecting the leg portions of the corner uprights. In this embodiment leg members 65 are provided for the inner ends of the side wall sections.

With this arrangement of parts cages of substantial capacity may be provided and at the same time they are comparatively light in weight and rigid when erected, although adapted to be shipped or stored in collapsed or knock-down form. When employed for animals such as rabbits, the feed is arranged so that it is fully accessible and the feed troughs and racks do not restrict the ventilation. The structure may also be very easily kept in a sanitary condition.

\Vhile the structure illustrated is especially designated for use as a rabbit hutch or coop, with slight modifications. it is readily adapted for muskrats and other animals or for poultry. I have not attempted to illustrate ordescribe such modifications as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to which the invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of front, rear and end walls pivotally connected at their corners to pcrmit collapsing, the front and rear walls comprising vertically spaced panels, each including slats and horizontal bars, foraminate floors provided with supporting bars having hooks at their ends engageable with horizontal bars of said front and rear walls, said horizontal bars being adapted to be sprung to permit engagement of said hooks whereby the floors are detachably supported and the walls retained in erected position, dropping board supporting rods having hooks at their ends engageable with horizontal bars of the front and rear walls and disposed in a rearwardly inclined position, dropping boards supported by said rods below said floors, and cleaning troughs mounted on the rear wall in operative relation to said dropping boards.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination of front, rear and end walls pivotally connected at their corners to permit collapsing, the front and rear walls comprising vertically spaced panels, each including slats and horizontal bars, and foraminate floors provided with supporting bars having hooks at their ends engageable with horizontal bars of said front and rear walls, said horizontal bars being adapted to be sprung to permit engagement end, the side walls of said troughs being tapered toward their open ends, and hangers for said troughs provided with hooks engageable with horizontal bars of the rear walls whereby the troughs are supported in operative relation to the lower ends of the dropping boards with their bottoms inclined toward their'closed ends in operative relation to the lower ends of the dropping boards.

4. In a structure of the class described, the combination of front and rear walls comprising horizontal bars and vertical slats secured thereto, the front wall having openings therein through which feed racks and troughs may be introduced, the feed rack openings being above the feed trough openings, spaced transverse partitions disposed at the sides of the said feed trough openings and constituting feed trough supports, feed troughs having downturned channeled flanges on their edges slidable on said partitions, feed racks adapted to be introduced through said feed rack open-.

ings and provided with downturned hooks at their rear ends engageable with horizoin tal bars of the rear wall whereby the rear end of the rack is supported, foraminate floors, and dropping boards disposed in an inclined position below said floors to extend below said partitions and feed trough, said dropping boards having forwardly tapered side walls.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of front and rear walls comprising horizontal bars and vertical slats secured thereto, the front wall having openings therein through which feed racks and troughs may be introduced, the feed" walls retained in rack openings being above the feed trough openings, spaced transverse partitions disposed at the sides of said feed trough open ings and constituting feed trough supports,

feedtroughs having downturned channeled flanges on their edges slidable on said partitions, feed racks adapted to be introduced through said feed rack openings and provided with downturned hooks at their rear ends engageablewith horizontal bars of the rear wall whereby the rear end of the rack is supported,- foraminate floors, and dropping boards disposed below, saidfloors to.

extend below said. partitions and feed trough.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of front and'rear walls comprising horizontal bars and vertical slats secured thereto, the front wall having openings therein through which feed racks and troughs may be introduced, the feed rack openings being. above; the feed trough openings, spaced transverse partitions disposedv at the sides of said feed trough openings and constituting feed trough supports, feed troughs having downturned channeled flanges on their edges slidable on said parti tions,-and feed racks adapted to be intro-Q duced through said feedrack openings and provided with downturned hooks at their rear ends 'engageable with horizontal bars of the rear wall wherebythe rearend of, the rack is supported. l

7. In a structure of the classdescribed, the combination of front and rear walls, the front wall having openings therein through which feed racks may be introduced, spaced transverse partitions disposed at the sides of said feed trough openings and constituting a feed trough support, feedtroughs having flanges on their edges slidable on said partition, foraminated floors, and dropping boards disposedbelow said floors to extend below saidpartitions and feed troughs.

8. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of front and rear walls, the

front walls having openings therein through which feed racks may be introduced, spaced transverse partitions disposed at the sides of sa d feed trough openings and constituting a feed trough support, and feed troughs ng flanges on their edges slidableon Said partition. V r

9., In a structure of the class described, the

combination with the walls, one of the walls having openingstherein through which feed racks and troughs be introduced, the,

feed rack opening being above the feed trough opening, of spaced transverse partitions disposed at the sides of the feed'rack openingand constituting feed trough supports, a feed trough slidably supporteduby said partitions, a feed rack adapted to being troduced through said feed rack opening and provided with wall engaging members at its rear end, foraminate floors, and dropping boards disposed below said floors to extend below said partitions and feed troughs. 5 10. In a structure of the class described, the combination with the walls, one of the walls having an opening through which a trough may be introduced and an opening through which a feed rack may be intro duced disposed above the feed trough opening, of spaced transverse partitions disposed at the sides of the feed rack opening, a feed trough disposed above said partitions, a feed rack adapted to be introduced through said feed rack opening and provided with wall engaging members at its rear end, foraminate floors, and dropping boards disposed below said floors to extend below said partitions and feed troughs.

11. In a structure of the class described, the combination with the walls, one of the walls having an opening through which a trough may be introduced and an opening through which a feed rack may be introduced disposed above the feed trough opening, of spaced transverse partitions disposed at the sides of the feed rack opening and constituting feed trough supports, a

feed trough slidably supported by said partitions, and a feed rack adapted to be introduced through said feed rack opening and provided with wall engaging members at its rear end.

12. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of front and rear walls, the front wall having a rack opening therein, a feed rack comprising longitudinal bars and U-shaped slats secured thereto, rearwardly tapered wings pivotally mounted on the top longitudinal bars of the feed rack to fold or swing inwardly, and supporting books on the rear ends of said wings engageable with the horizontal bars of the rear wall, the front end of the rack being supported in said opening in the front wall.

13. In a structure of the class described, the combination of front and rear walls, the front wall having a rack opening therein,

a feed rack comprising longitudinal bars and U-shaped slats secured thereto, wings pivotally mounted on the top longitudinal bars. of the feed rack to fold or swing inwardly, and supporting hooks on the rear ends of said Wings engageable with the horizontal bars of the rear wall, the front end of the rack being supported in said opening in the front wall;

14. In a structure of the class described, a feed rack comprising longitudinal bars "and U-shaped slats secured thereto, and wings pivotally mounted on the top longitudinal bars of the feed rack to fold or swilrgg inwardly upon the material Within the .rac

15. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of walls, one wall having a rack opening therein, a feed rack comprising longitudinal bars and U-shaped slats secured thereto, rearwardly tapered wings pivotally mounted on the top longitudinal bar of the feed rack to fold or swing inwardly, and supporting members on the rear ends of said wings.

16. In a structure of the class described, the combination of walls, one wall having a rack opening therein, a removable feed rack, and wings pivotally mounted on the edges of the feed rack to fold or swing inwardly upon the material within said rack.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LYNN IV. MACOMBER. 

